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July 2023 Environmental Impact of Meal Containers
July 2023 Environmental Impact of Meal Containers
Jul 10, 2023
This month at the Spruce Initiative we revisit the issue of packaging for frozen, takeaway and deli meals. Basically there are four types of packaging for frozen, takeaway and deli meals: plastic, paper, foil or glass. Each type of packaging has it’s merits and drawbacks. Each eventually contributes to landfill or is recycled.
Let’s first look at plastic. There has been a lot of discussion about the hazards of plastic packaging. Plastic pollution is arguably one of the biggest problems facing the environment today. Most plastics used for frozen, takeaway and deli meals can be recycled. However many of them end up in land fill and leech micro plastic particles into ground water over a long period of time. In addition producing and recycling plastics, most of which are a by product of the petroleum industy, are responsible for a lot of chemical pollutants.
On the upside plastics are convenient and while we don’t recommend it many are considered safe for the microwave oven. Plastics are not prone to breakage and are frequently able to be reused in the home for storage or meals. Most plastics are not safe for conventional ovens, Plastic containers made from petroleum products are non sustainable. Plastics made from ethanol which is plant derived maybe sustainable but still leech micro particles into the environment and utilise vast amounts of plant material that otherwise maybe used for food.
Foil packaging for frozen, takeaway and deli meals frequently has a paper lid. Once the lid is removed the foil container can be placed in a conventional oven. There has been much talk of plastics being non renewable however while metals used for foil containers can be recycled, metals are a finite resource and hence non sustainable. While foil containers do not leech microparticles into the ground water, they are not degradeable and add to land fill. Foil containers cannot be microwaved.
Paper packaging is sustainable and if not badly soiled can be recycled. We can grow more trees to make paper however we do need the trees to make oxygen. If we start using paper for many products that are currently made from plastic it will put a strain on our forests. Paper containers are suitable for use in the microwave oven and some can be used in a conventional oven. While paper can frequently be recycled much of it ends up in landfill and it is not suitable to reuse in the home.
Glass containers can be washed and reused. The downside is they are heavy and breakable. Glass is made from silica, sand. While we have a lot of sand, glass is still a finite resource.. However it can be melted down and recycled. Glass does not pose the problem of leeching micro particles into the environment. It is basically a clean resource. However it does have a very long life if it ends up in landfill. Also it is hazardous if it breaks.
One further option that we might consider is the use of bamboo containers. These are stronger than paper containers however they have much the same properties. A big problem with these containers is that they would frequently end up in landfill.
One of the downsides of paper, foil and plastic containers is that because they are light they may blow out of landfill and end upon our streets or in our waterways. Glass being heavier does not have the same problem.
We recommend you reuse containers where possible and favour recyclable paper packaging. Save our non renewable resources for future generations. This is another way you can help reduce waste and ensure a brighter,healthier future.
While you may very infrequently find frozen meal containers on the street, you may come across takeaway or deli containers. Please dispose of these mindfully. Remember one piece a day sends the rubbish away. Don’t just clean; let’s Spruce!
Cheers,
Felicity
Clean and green is our motto. Remember: one piece a day sends the rubbish away! Don’t just clean let’s Spruce.
www.thespruceinitiative.info
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